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Friday, November 30, 2018

Christmas Lane by Amy Aislin Release Blitz

It's recent college graduate Zach Greenfeld's favorite time
of the year and he's just received a temporary gig planning Lighthouse Bay's
Christmas parade. Not only does it speak to his penchant for organization, it
also puts him face to face on a daily basis with his unrequited crush—Holland
Stone. But his new job starts off in disaster when the most important float—Santa's
sleigh—gets damaged.

Holland needs to win the Lighthouse Bay Christmas parade float competition in
order to grow his new dollhouse-making business. The prize is an article in a
major city newspaper, and nothing beats free advertising. Except, eager to help
the adorable parade organizer, he volunteers to help fix Santa's sleigh,
leaving no time to work on his own float, and putting his prize at risk.

Damaged floats, snowstorms, and a last-minute parade emergency force Zach and
Holland closer than ever. All they need is a little bit of Christmas magic to
help them realize they belong together.

Christmas Lane is a sweet, May/December, small-town Christmas romance with
an HEA!

Holland
dragged a thumb over Zach’s cheek, causing Zach to break out in chills, and
lowered his head again.

Zach met him halfway this time, and it was… perfect. Sweet. Disney-channel
worthy tame. Just lips against lips and breathing each other in.

Until Holland tilted Zach’s head, slanting their mouths together, and probed at
the seam of Zach’s lips with his tongue.

Zach opened, a combination of excited, anxious, and curious. But, to his
surprise, Holland didn’t swoop in and take over. He coaxed. He teased. He
seduced.

One hand settled at Zach’s lower back, drawing him in, snuggling their bodies
close. The other cupped Zach’s neck. He was hard and firm all over and,
cocooned in his embrace, Zach had never felt more cherished. And in this one
simple act, where Holland held him so carefully and didn’t push and pressure,
Zach had never felt more desired.

They were both breathing unsteadily by the time they separated. Holland’s eyes
were at half-mast as he swept that damnable thumb over Zach’s wet lower lip.
Zach nipped it playfully, and Holland smiled at him.

Reviews by the
Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This small town Christmas romance is full of festive cheer. Focusing on the
build up to Lighthouse Bay’s annual Christmas parade, this is a simple, feel
good read.

Like most recent university grads, Zach is underemployed and itching to find a
job in events planning. Planning his hometown Christmas parade offers Zach a
chance to build his CV while he looks for a long-term job. I really enjoyed
Zach’s character. He is sweet and funny and self-deprecating. He reads much
older than early twenties – but this is deliberate, and Zach does talk about
his struggles to fit in with his peers.

I love Holland. He’s kind, capable, and creative. I love his midlife career
change and his calm confidence. Together, Zach and Holland probably shouldn’t
work as well as they do. The hot for teacher thing pushed at the boundaries of
my comfort with age gap relationships. I never quite got over the fact that
Holland taught Zach in primary school. However, by the midpoint of this story I
had pretty much forgotten about the age gap. Zach does feel older than his
years and Holland’s career change makes him feel younger.

Beyond Zach and Holland are a host of quirky small town characters. I kept
thinking of Stars Hollow and Gilmore
Girls holiday specials when Zach and Holland interacted with the town and I
really loved the characters in Lighthouse Bay.

This is an oddly low heat romance. One of the main characters is possibly grey
ace or demisexual and while I like the departure from the typical romance sex
tropes, I didn’t feel like this issue was ever properly talked about or fully
worked through. Holland and Zach’s sexual connection feels like an afterthought
in this story.

This is a sweet and fluffy Christmas read. I enjoyed the small town Christmas
good feels and both of the leading men are immensely likeable.

Angie – ☆☆☆☆
This was a very sweet Christmas romance. Light on steam, a bit of drama, but
lots of heart. Zach and Holland are good together. I didn't feel the chemistry
between them, but I liked both characters. The secondary characters are good
too. Zach was sooo sweet. He just wanted to be loved and was always so giving
to everyone. I recommend this book for people who want a nice, sweet, Christmas
themed book with little angst and not a lot of steam.

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I am so happy that this is the first in a new series, as I have become quite
attached to the men of Lighthouse Bay, and there are plenty of them due a
happily ever after... plus, I will be happy to read more of Holland and Zach's
progress.

This is a lovely Christmas story, which does a great job of brightening up the
season with its feel good vibe and romance. I really enjoyed getting to know
both Zach and Holland, and how their pasts affected their current behaviour. It
was both touching and encouraging, and made their interest in each other much
more poignant. Whilst there were moments of drama, overall it was a story which
just gave me a warm and happy feelings as I read it.

Can't wait to see who gets their chance at love next.

Amy started writing on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class was forced to
stay inside for recess. Tales of adventures with her classmates quickly morphed
into tales of adventures with the characters in her head. Based in the suburbs
of Toronto, Amy is a marketer/fundraiser at a large environmental non-profit in
Toronto by day, and a writer by night. Book enthusiast, animal lover and (very)
amateur photographer, her interests are many and varied, including travelling,
astronomy, ecology, and baking. She binge watches too much anime, and loves
musical theater, Julie Andrews, the Backstreet Boys, and her hometown of
Oakville, Ontario.

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